Obesity is associated with a greater number of long‐term post‐COVID symptoms and poor sleep quality: A multicentre case‐control study

Abstract

Background Obesity is a risk factor associated with higher mortality at the acute phase of COVID‐19; however, its influence on post‐COVID symptoms is not known. Objective Our aim was to investigate if obesity is a risk factor for the presence of long‐term post‐COVID symptoms in hospitalised COVID‐19 survivors. Methods A multicentre case‐control study including patients hospitalised during the first wave of the pandemic was performed. Patients with obesity were recruited as cases. Two age‐ and sex‐matched patients without obesity per case were considered as controls. Clinical and hospitalisation data were collected from the hospital medical records. Patients were scheduled for a telephonic interview. A list of post‐COVID symptoms was systematically evaluated, but participants were free to report any symptom. Anxiety/depressive levels and sleep quality were evaluated with the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), respectively. Results Overall, 88 patients with obesity and 176 without obesity were assessed 7.2 months after the hospital discharge. The most prevalent post‐COVID symptoms were fatigue and dyspnea. No significant difference in the prevalence of fatigue, dyspnea, anxiety, depression and limitations of daily living activities was observed between people with and without obesity. Obesity was independently associated with a greater number of post‐COVID symptoms (IRR 1.56, 95% CI 1.24‐1.95, P < .001) and poor sleep quality (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.13‐3.83, P = .02). Conclusions This study found that obesity was associated with a greater number of long‐term post‐COVID symptoms and poor sleep quality in hospitalised COVID‐19 patients.

Predictors of post-COVID-19 and the impact of persistent symptoms in non-hospitalized patients 12 months after COVID-19, with a focus on work ability

“…Overweight and obesity have been found to correlate with higher susceptibility to contracting COVID-19 leading to hospital admissions, length of hospital stay, and risk of mortality ( 26 ). Fernandez-de-Las-Penas et al found in their study that a BMI > 30 kg/m 2 could be independently linked to a larger number of post-COVID-19 symptoms, including poor sleep quality, 7 months after hospitalization due to COVID-19 ( 27 ).…”

Long COVID: systemic inflammation and obesity as therapeutic targets

“…These results are consistent with previous reports in the medical literature that obesity and female sex are risk factors for long COVID. 6 , 7 , 8 However, The PHOSP-COVID Collaborative Group's findings add to the evidence base by confirming these associations in a large cohort with long-term follow-up. 2 The association between obesity and severe long COVID might be expected because the multisystemic changes (ie, hormonal, metabolic, and a pro-inflammatory state) associated with obesity 9 could promote the maintenance of a systemic inflammation.…”

Long COVID and its associated factors among COVID survivors in the community from a middle-income country—An online cross-sectional study

“…Some studies showed no correlation between the prolonged COVID symptoms and comorbidities of patients [ 25 , 33 ], similar with our findings. However, comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia could be indirect risk factors to Long COVID as they are commonly associated with obesity that might increase the likelihood of Long COVID [ 25 , 34 ].…”